How to Choose a Yoga Mat: Best Yoga Mats

Yoga is a Hindu Discipline or a system of exercises that are an integral part of Hindu discipline, and are mainly aimed at promoting the ability to control body and mind. Today, yoga is considered as a means of bringing about a synchronization of body, mind and spirit and thereby boost mental and physical health. It not only restores mental and emotional stability by managing stress and anxiety, but is also regarded by many as an effective method for controlling several physical disorders. However, to practice different types of yoga and experience all its positive effects, you will need a comfortable and durable mat, whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner. While choosing a yoga mat, you have to take many things into consideration like the cost of different mats, comfort and durability. There are some essential qualities that the ideal or best yoga mats should possess.

Essential Qualities of a Yoga Mat
Yoga mats are one of the most significant yoga supplies. An ideal yoga mat should be comfortable and it should be able to provide support in order to prevent any kind of injury. You should not select a slippery yoga mat for practicing vigorous or active forms of yoga. Such types of yoga involve several difficult postures and so, cause perspiration. Using a slippery mat for practicing such yoga can cause injury.

The thickness of a yoga mat is another important quality and it should not be less than 4 mm. However, some postures will require a thickness of more than 4 mm. Thickness of yoga mat should be more for older members of your family. Durability and eco-friendliness are some other desirable qualities of a yoga mat for many individuals. If you have to constantly travel for personal or business matters, then a lightweight and portable yoga mat would be best for you. Also test the compression resistance of a yoga mat by pinching a small area between two fingers before purchasing.

How to Choose a Yoga Mat?
Choosing a yoga mat is not very difficult, as the essential characteristics of an ideal yoga mat have already been explained. Before purchasing a yoga mat, decide on the appropriate size according to your requirements. The length of the yoga mats can range between 62 to 75 inches. So choose an ideal size suitable for you. While choosing the length of yoga mats, you have to consider the size of the user, as a smaller mat would also do for children. The width of these yoga mats is generally 24 inches.

Apart from size, the material used in manufacturing different types of mats also matters a lot. Cheap yoga mats are made from plastic or PVC, which have raised many environmental and health related issues. According to many experts, they contain harmful chemicals, which emit toxic substances, especially at high temperatures and when exposed to heat. Therefore, these cheap plastic mats have not received high ranks in yoga mat reviews. Thermal Plastic Elastomer yoga mats are another inexpensive option, which are considered better than the plastic ones for environmental and health considerations.

Cork or jute yoga mats are the affordable, yet eco-friendly alternative. They can readily absorb sweat, and this can eventually weaken the fiber. This is the main disadvantage of these types of yoga mats. So jute and cotton mats are not very durable or long lasting. On the other hand, natural latex and organic natural latex yoga mats are considered by many as the best yoga mats, both from the perspective of durability and environmental friendliness.

However, the choice of a yoga mat would also depend on the type of yoga you are going to practice. Vigorous yoga like 'asthanga yoga' will require a thick mat with good padding and durability. Manduka black yoga mat is regarded by many as the best brand of yoga mats, especially for asthanga yoga. However, many others prefer a rug instead of yoga mats for this yoga, as the rug can easily absorb perspiration and prevent slipping. On the other hand, sticky yoga mats are ideal for hath yoga and they are also suitable for children. Light weighted portable yoga mats are especially designed to meet the requirements of traveling individuals.

So choosing the best yoga mat largely depends on individual needs and requirement and is also governed by the nature of a particular yoga. Hope these simple tips on how to choose a yoga mat would help you make a decision.